Textbook controversy deepens Syrian distrust of government
Textbook controversy deepens Syrian distrust of government newspress_en Thu, 11/12/2026 - 03:30 Opinion Syria’s school textbooks have come under intense scrutiny after comparisons between editions revealed altered illustrations of women, removed historical material and missing lessons on citizenship. Much of the debate has focused on what these changes mean for children’s education. Far less…
Syrian school textbooks are facing intense scrutiny after it was discovered that alterations have been made to editions, including the removal of historical material and lessons on citizenship, and the modification of illustrations of women. Much of the debate has focused on the impact these changes have on children's education, but an equally concerning issue is the Education Ministry's response to the controversy.
The ministry has insisted that no revisions were made after January 2025, describing the changes introduced then as an effort to remove Assad-era propaganda. However, this explanation fails to account for many of the documented alterations, leaving unanswered questions about the substance of the changes and the responsibility of those who authorized them.
This controversy is not only a test of the Syrian transitional authorities' willingness to acknowledge mistakes and scrutinize decisions made within their own institutions but also raises concerns about the credibility of the information provided to the public.
Written by urgent.news from Al Majalla English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
